Arrangement of the input and output ends of a metal sheet cooling machine

Abstract

In order to achieve a seal which is as effective as possible, there are provided at the input and output ends of a metal sheet cooling machine flaps such as flap (input flap) which are journalled in a frame of the machine to turn about an axis X--X and are actuated by jacks. Supports carried by a rigid girder ensure that these flaps do not buckle under the effect of the pressure forces created in the machine.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. An arrangement for a machine for cooling a metal sheet, which machine comprises a lower frame and an upper frame, sets of rollers respectively carried by the frames for rollingly supporting the sheet by contact with upper and lower faces of the sheet, each frame comprising lateral walls which extend longitudinally of the machine and are spaced apart transversely of the machine, and a case interconnecting the lateral walls and defining an enclosure, and means for supplying a cooling fluid to said enclosure, the cases of the upper and lower frames defining an input longitudinal end and an output longitudinal end of the machine, said arrangement comprising at each of said longitudinal ends at least one flap mounted on the machine to be pivotable about an axis which extends transversely of the machine and transversely of the direction of travel of the sheet through the machine, between two extreme positions one of which positions corresponds to the complete closure of the corresponding end of the machine whereas the other position corresponds to a withdrawn position of the flap allowing the passage of a sheet, of maximum thickness and an actuating mechanism combined with each flap for putting the flap in a selected position between said two positions of the flap. 
     
     
       2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, comprising, at each end of the machine, a single flap which is journalled between the two lateral walls of one of the frames. 
     
     
       3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap has a box-structure. 
     
     
       4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flap comprises a tube which is journalled at its ends in the frame and is rigid with the box-structure. 
     
     
       5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap has a convex face facing the interior of the machine between said two longitudinal ends. 
     
     
       6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, comprising at least one sealing element extending transversely of the machine throughout the space between the lateral walls and in contact with said convex face of the flap. 
     
     
       7. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, comprising at least one support means in contact with an intermediate part of the flap which faces outwardly of the machine, for precluding the buckling of the flap. 
     
     
       8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, comprising a rigid girder which extends between the two lateral walls of the frame and carries the support means. 
     
     
       9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support means is adjustable in position. 
     
     
       10. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the flap located at the input end of the machine has a lower face which is upwardly inclined outwardly of the machine and makes an acute angle with the horizontal in said complete closure position of the flap. 
     
     
       11. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the flap located at the output end of the machine further comprises a deflector which is upwardly inclined inwardly of the machine and makes an acute angle with the horizontal so as to cause the flap to be automatically raised by the leading edge of the metal sheet emerging from the machine. 
     
     
       12. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, comprising a sealing element interposed between and in sealing contact with each end roller of the rollers carried by the upper frame and the adjacent case of the machine.